Can server



'Dem 17, 1935. c. L. wam-NER 2,024,89@

CAN SERVER Filed Nov. 21, 1953 2 Sheets-sheet 1 Stiel-Mij Det. 17, 1935. l..- WELTNER 2,024,898

CAN SERVER v y Filed Nox/.21, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 2l ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1935 PATENT oFFlcE CAN SERVER Corliss L. Weltner, Parkersburg, W. Va., assignor to The Huffman Manufacturing Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 21, 1933, Serial No. 699,018

14 Cla/ims- (Cl. 221-23) This application is a continuation in part of my prior application for an Oil can server, Serial No. 679,114,1lled July 5, 1933, and like that application relates to can servers.

One object of the invention is the provision of a can server capable of perforating the can in an operation which requires the use of but one of the operators hands and which will leave the other hand free to manage the spout of the device.

A further object is to provide a device of this class which will make unnecessary the usualvalve which is ordinarily provided to control the discharge of fluid.

A further object is to provide a novel form of knife for puncturing the can.

A further object is to provide a novel method and means for'simultaneously puncturing the top and bottom of a can.

Other objects. and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings forminga part of this specification.

Ink the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of. a device embodying the present invention, and showing a punctured can therein and with a portion of the can broken away to reveal the operation of the knife; n

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a modified arrangement of the can puncturing means; and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters have been used throughout to designate like parts, I9 indicates the body of a cylindrical support or can container having a slightly ilared bottom portion II and a top edge 9. A funnellike floor is formed at the juncture of the body I0 and thefiared portion II and has its greatest depth adjacent the front of the support where it is provided with an opening I3 in which is fitted in any suitable manner the terminal end' I4 of the usual flexible discharge spout. The body portion I5 of the spout is flexible as is usual with lling cans generally and the usual non-flexible discharge nozzle I6 is provided at the free end of the spout. The spout is normally retained in upright position by a iixed hook or clip I1 which is secured to the forward portionof the upper edge 3 of the body I 0 and which engages the nozzle I6 in any suitable manner.

A rigid handle member 8 is secured firmly t0 the rear portion of the body I0, as at I 8, by solder or like fastening means and comprises an upright portion 1 which is secured to the body Il) as aforesaid and which extends somewhat above the upper edge 9 of the body I0. The top of the '5 handle member 8 comprises a rearwardly and horizontally extending portion 2I preferably integral with the upright portion 1.v The portion 2I has a slot 21a running lengthways thereof and is further provided on either side of the slot 2Ia 10 with a pair of upwardly extending ears 22 which are pierced as at 23. The grip portion 20 of the handle member 8 is formed by a downward and outward continuation of the portion 2l. At its lower end the grip 20 is integral with a substan- 1,5

tially horizontal bottom portion I9 which extends inwardly beneath the lower end of the upright portion 1 and is soldered or otherwise secured thereto. The portion I9, as shown at 33, extends through the juncture of the body I0 and the 20 :flared portion I l and into and across the interior of the support, being positioned, as shown, some-f what above the fuimel-like floor I 2 and extending to the opposite side of the support where it is secured to its wall as at 33a. A slightly raised 25 abutment or seat 35a for a resilient member or spring 35 is formed on the extension portion 33 in such position that the spring is adapted to engage the substantial center of a can 40 received by the support. The spring 35 is suitably securedto the 30 seat 35a by bolt 36 or the like. A can-puncturing knife 31 is removably mounted adjacent the forward end 33a. of the extension portion 33 by means of the screws 31a. which are threaded in the extension portion. 35

It; will now be apparent that the rigid extension portion 33 forms a substantially unyielding base for the knife 31. The knife 31 is V-shaped in plan and has its apex 39 pointing toward the forward wall of the body i9. In this position 40 it will be adapted to cut an opening in the forward portion or" the canbottom. From the apex 39 the cutting blade slopes downwardly and rearwardly sharply to provide a sharp point at the said apex. The freeends of the V well below 45 the apex are connected by a cross bar 38 which is blunt on its upper surface and which serves to roll back the cut stock 4I of the can bottom after the same has been cut'by the cutting edge of the knife and which insures a wide and substantially 50 unobstructed opening in the can bottom. yAs seen in the .drawings the cut stock 4I is rolled upwardly and entirely out of the way.

The can 4U of oil or other material to be dis pensed is forced downwardly on theknife 31 by 55 mechanism that can be readily manipulated by the operators hand while grasping the supporting handle, leaving the other hand free to manage the spout. 'Ihis downward 'forcible movement of the can is effected by an arm 28 which is movable towards and away from the axis of the can support so that the grip of the operator while holding the handle 20 can be utilized to force the arm towards the handle. As shown, the arm 28 forms the long arm of a bell crank 25 which has a short arm 21 swingably secured at its fulcrum between the ears 22 of the top portion 2| of the handle member 8 by means of a pin 24 which extends through the pierced portions 23 of said ears. 'Ihe long arm 26 of the crank extends downwardly through the slot 2|a in the portion 2| and is normally retained in a forward position by suitable spring means as 3| which may be suitably secured to the upright portion v1 at 32 and to the arm 28 at 3|. Any means 'such as the flat plate 29 may be secured to the lower-portion of the arm 28 to protect the operators fingers against cutting when the said arm is swung rearwardly against the action of the spring 38. The short arm 21 extends forwardly over the top off a can 48 and is provided at'its free end with a depending punch 28 for piercing the top of the can for the purpose of admitting air to the can and thus expediting the iiow ofthe liquid from the aperture pierced in the bottom by the knife 31. A depending lug 28a formed on the short arm 21 and spaced slightly from the punch 28 provides a notch or space adjacent thereto for receiving the upper rim of the can 48, and to add in maintaining the same in a proper position for the puncturing operation.

The operation of the device is as follows:

With the long arm 28 ofthe bell crank 25 in its normal forward position, and the short arm consequently raised, a can 40 is inserted in the support I which is of a diameter slightly larger than the can to be opened. When the can bottom strikes the apex 39 of the knife the operator grips the long arm 26 of the crank and swings it rearwardly. This action causes the short arm 21 to swing downwardly in an arc until the punch28 strikes the top of the can 40, the upper rim of the canv being seated .against the under surface of the short arm 21 between the punch 28 and the lug 28a. The can is now secureLv held in place within the body i0. The spout is now disengaged from the member I1 and held in a 'proper filling yposition by the operators free hand. The operator now continues the pressure on the arm 26 while holding the handle in his grasp, causing the punch 28 to pierce the can top while at about -spaoe 82 is provided at the end of the cut which is sumcient to admit the necessary air into the can.

The spring 38 on the extension 33 serves to force the pierced can upwardly after it is pierced and thus facilitates the removal of the same, and also withdraws the knife from the apertureand allows the liquid to flow freely therethrough. The force applied to the upper rear part of the can at its top and to the forward portion of the can bottom is exerted and assumed by the punch mechanism and the knife 31 both of which are supported by the rigid handle member 8 or a rigid extension thereof so that the body portion and bottom of the support I8 are free of large strains and may be made of sheet metal.

It will be noted that it is not necessary to place the can on a rigid support and press the can downwardly on the knife to accomplish the piercing operation. Nor is it necessary for the operator to perform any unusual or unorthodox movements. By positioning the long arm 28 of the crank 25 within the circle of the handle, it is a simple matter for the operator to extend his l5 fingers and grip the long arm for the operation. On account of the length of the long arm 23 no great strength on the operators part is required, and much time is saved thereby. Also, by positioning the knife in the manner shown on a support above the iloor |2, no pressure on the floor occurs, but the liquid can iiow freely to the discharge conduit and all of the liquid is readily drained from the can while the support is held upright or slightly inclined forwardly.

A modification of my can bottom puncturing mechanism is seen in Figs. 3 and 4. Here it will be noted that the arm |33 does not extend entirely across the support and that the resilient member |35 is secured on the free end |34 by 30 means |36. It is also to be noted that in this form of the invention the knife |31 is made integral with the arm |33 and is positioned thereon between the resilient member |38 and the rear wall of the support although it is also to be un- 35v derstood that the knife could' be positioned on the wall IIB without departing from the spirit of my invention. The arrangement of the handle member and operating mechanism and the remaining parts of the device shown in Figs. 3 and 40 4 corresponds to the construction shown in Figs.

1 and 2.

While the drawings show and the specification describes what is now considered to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is under'- 45 stood that I do not expressly limit myself to the precise structures shown and described because it is apparent that my invention is capable of other expressions and embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a can server, a support for a can, a fixed carrying handle member for said support, a bottom for said support having a discharge spout connected to the forward portion thereof, and a 55 plurality of'can piercing means provided on said handle member for simultaneously piercing the forward portion of a bottom of a'can and the rear portion of the top of a can.

2. In a portable can server, a support adapted 00 to receive a can of material, a carrying handle rigid with said support, said suDDQrt having a bottom provided with a discharge conduit,r a knife carried in said support and adapted to pierce the bottom of a can forced downwardly in said support, and means adapted for operation by the hand when grasping the handle for forcing the. can against the knife.

3. In a portable can server, a support adapted to receive a can of material, a carrying handle rigid with said support, said support having a bottom provided with a discharge conduit, a knife carried in said support and adapted to pierce the bottom :.f a can forced downwardlyin said support. means adapted for operation by the hand 76 when grasping the handle for forcing the can against the knife, and means operated thereby for piercing an upper portion of the can.

4. A can server comprising a can support adapted to receive and house the lower portion of a can, said support having a bottom provided with a discharge spout, a knife mounted in said support in position to pierce the bottom of a can forced downwardly thereagainst, ahandle fixed to said support, an operable member provided adjacent said handle lin position for operation by the hand when grasping the handle, a can top piercing member, and means connecting said top piercing member and said operable member.

5. In a can server, a can support, a handle for said support, said support having a bottom provided with a discharge conduit, means rigid with said handle and projecting into said support, and a knife provided on said means.

6. In a can server, a support for a can, a handle for said support, said support having a bottom provided with a discharge spout, a member rigid with said handle and extending into said support, a knife on said member adapted to pierce the bottom of the can forced downwardly in said support, and means carried by said handle for piercing the top of a can and for forcing the can downwardly against said knife.

7. In a can server, a can support, a handle for said support, said support having a bottom provided with a discharge conduit, means rigid with said handle and projecting into said support above said bottom, a knife fixed to said means and adapted to pierce the bottom of a can forced downwardly thereagainst, and mechanism operable from a point adjacent said handle for forcing a can against said knife.

8. In a can server, a support for a can, a handle for said support, said support having a bottom provided with a movable discharge spout in constant communication with the space above said bottom, a member rigid with said handle and extending into said support, a knife on said member adapted to pierce the bottom of the can forced downwardly in said support, and means movably mounted on said support for piercing the top of a can and for forcing the can downwardly against said knife.

9. In a can server, a support for a can, a handle for said support, a bottom for said support having a discharge spout connected thereto, an upstanding V-shaped knife for piercing the bottom of a can rigidly carried by said support slightly above the bottom thereof, a blunt bar connecting the free ends of said knife for rolling back the cut stock of said can bottom, and means associated with said handle for simultaneously piercing the top of said can and forcing the can downwardly onto said bottom piercing means.

l0. In a can server, a support for a can, a han` dle for said support, a bottom for said support having a discharge spout connected thereto, means for piercing the bottom of a can, said means being located slightly above the bottom of said support, means carried by said handle for simultaneously piercing the top of a can and forcing the can downwardly onto said bottom piercing means, and means comprising a coiled spring adja2ent said bottom piercing means for forcing the can out of engagement with the same after the can is pierced.

11. In a can server, a support for a can, a looped handle for said support, a bell crank swingably connected to the top of said handle and having one arm extending downwardly adiaa can, a looped handle for said support and extending above said support, a slot in the upper portion of said handle, upstanding pierced ears on either side of said slot, a bell crank swingably mounted at its fulcrum between said ears in the pierced portions thereof and having one arm extending downwardly through said slot within said handle and adjacent the gripping portion thereof, the other arm of said crank being substantially shorter than said first arm and extending forwardly over said support and having a depending punch on its free end for piercing the top of a can while forcing the can downwardly into said support, means adjacent said punch for engaging the rim of a can, the lower portion of said handle being extended into said support through the side wall thereof and providing a substantially rigid seat for an upwardly extending V-shaped knife for piercing the bottom of a can, a blunt cross bar connecting the free ends of the legs of said knife to engage the base of the cut stock of the can bottom and force said cut stock upwardly when the can is forced downwardly on the knife by the action of the shorter arm of the crank, an upstanding coiled spring on said seat to disengage the can from said knife when pressure on said can is released, and discharge means for the can contents located below said knife.

13. In a can server, a cylindrical support for a can, a looped handle for said support and extending above said support, a slot in the upper portion of said handle, upstanding pierced ears on either side of said slot, a bell crank swingably mounted at its fulcrum between said ears in the pierced portion thereof and having one arm extending downwardly through sald slot within said handle and adjacent the gripping portion thereof, the other arm of said crank being substantially shorter than said rst arm and extending forwardly over said support and having a depending punch on its free end for piercing the top of a can while forcing the can downwardly into said support, the lower portion of said handle being extended into said support through the side wall thereof and providing a substantially rigid seat for an upwardly extending V-shaped knife for piercing the bottom of a can, a blunt cross bar connecting the free ends of the legs of said knife to engage the base of the cut stock of the can bottom and force said cut stock upwardly when the can is forced downwardly on the knife by the action of the shorter arm of the crank, an upstanding coiled spring on the'freeend of said seat adjacent said knife to disengage the can from said knife when pressure on said can is released, and .discharge means for can contents located below said knife.

14. In a portable can server a knife adapted to pierce the lower end of a can forced thereagainst, said knife having a 'substantially V-shaped upstanding cutting edge and a blunt bar connecting the free ends of the knife below the apex of the V for rolling back the cut stock of a can bottom.

- CORLISS L. WELTNER. 

